Shloka 56

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

विप्राहिक्षत्त्रियात्मानो नावज्ञेयाः कदाचन / दूरादुच्छिष्टविण्मूत्रपादाम्भांसि समुत्सृजेत्

Transliteration

viprāhikṣattriyātmāno nāvajñeyāḥ kadācana / dūrāducchiṣṭaviṇmūtrapādāmbhāṃsi samutsṛjet

Translation

One should never, at any time, show contempt toward a brāhmaṇa, a cow, or a kṣatriya. One should discard far away the remnants of food, feces, urine, and the water used for washing the feet.

Word by Word

• विप्राहिक्षत्त्रियात्मानः: Brahmins, serpents, and Kshatriyas (as persons)
• विप्राहिक्षत्त्रियात्मानः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अहि (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—‘विप्राः/अहयः/क्षत्रियाः आत्मानः यस्य’ इति (those whose nature is Brahmin/serpent/Kshatriya)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• अवज्ञेयाः: should not be disrespected
• अवज्ञेयाः: Vidheyavisheshana (Predicate adjective/विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवज्ञेय (कृदन्त; √ज्ञा धातु, अव- उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण; भावे/कर्मणि कृदन्त (तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययार्थ ‘to be despised’)

• कदाचन: ever
• कदाचन: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचन (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘ever/at any time’)

• दूरात्: from a distance
• दूरात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचन-रूपेण अव्ययीभूत (ablatival adverb) ‘from afar’

• उच्छिष्टविण्मूत्रपादाम्भांसि: leftover food, feces/urine, and foot-washing water
• उच्छिष्टविण्मूत्रपादाम्भांसि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उच्छिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + विण्/विण्म् (प्रातिपदिक) + मूत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्भस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (उच्छिष्टं च विण्मूत्रं च पादाम्भांसि—पादप्रक्षालनजलानि)

• समुत्सृजेत्: should discard/throw away
• समुत्सृजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √सृज् (धातु) उपसर्गौ सम्-उत्-
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ahiṃsā/avajñā-tyāga (non-contempt) toward socially sacred supports (brāhmaṇa, cow, kṣatriya) and śauca through proper disposal of waste.

Vedantic Theme: Ethical restraint (yama-like) supports sattva and clarity; honoring dharma-bearers sustains social and inner order.

Application: Avoid disparagement; handle waste responsibly—dispose away from dwellings and water sources; keep eating and washing areas clean.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: household outskirts/latrine-disposal area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (śauca and sadācāra)

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa
• Kṣatriya
• Cow

FAQs

What is the importance of purity (śauca) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links dharmic living with practical cleanliness—proper disposal of impure substances and respectful conduct are presented as essential elements of ācāra (right practice).

How does this verse relate to karma and spiritual progress?

By prohibiting contempt toward respected social and sacred pillars (especially brāhmaṇas and the cow) and emphasizing cleanliness, it frames everyday behavior as karma-shaping discipline that supports religious merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain sanitary disposal of bodily waste and food remnants, keep living spaces clean, and practice non-contempt and respect in speech and behavior toward teachers, protectors, and sacred life.